Case On Religious Counseling of Homosexuals Wanting Out Could Set Precedent

Even though homosexuality is becoming more acceptable in today’s hedonistic society, it still carries a stigma about it as it should. God says it’s an abomination. It’s a sinful lifestyle, just like stealing, lying, incest, pedophilia, lust, greed and murder.

Gay activists believe that there is nothing wrong with homosexuality. They also encourage millions of children and teens to explore same-sex attractions. However, it’s not okay for a homosexual to explore normal straight relationships or seek counseling to help themselves overcome their sinful lifestyle and desires. In fact, they feel so strongly about any form of counseling or therapy that helps homosexuals leave the lifestyle that they have tried to pass laws in California banning the practice.

Now, gay activists are filing lawsuits against religious organizations that help counsel those who want to overcome their homosexuality and lead a normal life. One such religious group is JONAH (Jews Offer New Alternative for Healing). Their mission statement reads:

“JONAH, Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing, is a non-profit international organization dedicated to educating the world-wide Jewish community about the social, cultural and emotional factors which lead to same-sex attractions. JONAH works directly with those struggling with unwanted same-sex sexual attractions (SSA) and with families whose loved ones are involved in homosexuality.”

“Our Rabbinical sages explain that because mankind has been endowed by our Creator with a free will, everyone has the capacity to change. Furthermore, the Rabbis emphasize that parents, teachers and counselors have a special responsibility to educate, nurture, and provide an opportunity for those struggling with unwanted same-sex attractions to journey out of homosexuality.”

JONAH like most other religion based counseling groups does not go out and hunt down homosexuals and force them to convert to a straight life. Rather they provide the counseling and support to those who seek it voluntarily. The nearly 70 religious groups that provide counseling to help those who want help all report a number of success stories and can document that the counseling and therapy do work.

Gay activists know that these groups are being successful and they can’t allow that to happen. In typical liberal fashion, they attack the religious groups by claiming they are frauds and that they are hurting people. They fear the success of groups like JONAH so much that they are now taking legal actions against them.

A far left-wing liberal group known as the Southern Poverty Law Center filed a lawsuit against JONAH, claiming they are frauds and want the courts to stop them from saving anymore people from their debauched lifestyles. Charles LiMandri, President and Chief Counsel of Freedom of Conscience Defense Fund is representing JONAH in their court hearing that started last week. He says that SPLC is doing their best to deprive homosexuals to their right of self-determination and religious freedom when they consider that the Torah teaches that it is a forbidden sin.

“The SPLC is taking the position that telling homosexuals that you can help them overcome same sex attractions is a fraud, that there’s nothing wrong with having same sex attractions and there’s nothing wrong with being involved in homosexual behavior.”

“Because JONAH is a religiously-based organization, the idea it follows is that homosexuality is disordered. Not because it’s a mental disease or defect, but because it’s a sinful behavior and it’s against God’s plan.”

LiMandri was planning to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit on constitutional grounds including the First Amendment right of freedom of religion.

Whether you realize it or not, there is a lot riding on this lawsuit. If SPLC wins, it will give every other gay rights group the legal precedent to challenge and stop all religious groups from trying to help those who seek help. Homosexuals who want to change and want someone to help them overcome their sinful lifestyle will have no one left to turn to for help. They will be left to struggle on their own and often that struggle can lead to serious consequences including suicide. It would also mean a severe legal blow against the First Amendment rights to the freedom of religion and speech, further weakening our already crumbling Constitution.